Attempt to throw egg, ink at Prakash Rai unsuccessful

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 23, 2017: Mangaluru city police have detained a Hindu Mahasabha activist for attempting to throw an egg and splash ink on actor Prakash Rai. The accused is identified as Lithesh Jogi, 27, a resident of Kavoor.

ACP Uday Kumar said Lithesh was found with an egg, and that he admitted to have arrived at the venue to throw it on Prakash Rai, before he could inaugurate the Karavali Ustava.

The actor had spoken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and participated in a harmony rally against the BJP, that had left saffron outfits red-faced. They have been maintaining that the actor is anti-national.

Justifying the act, leader of the Hindu Mahasabha, Dharmendra, told media that not only Lithesh, but five other members of the outfit too planned to throw eggs and ink on Prakash Rai, for, "hurting the sentiments of Hindus". However, the other five accused escaped from the police.

The outfit had been circulating messages on social media, to protest against the actor inaugurating the event.

It may be recalled that when the media had asked minister U T Khader, earlier in the day, regarding the threat, he had challenged right-wing activists to spoil the show if they dared to. This apparently triggered the Hindu Mahasabha to intensify its protest.

Dharmendra said they decided to throw eggs and ink, after Khader challenged them.

"Wanted to stage a peaceful protest against Prakash Rai. However, when minister Khader challenged us, we decided to show Khader what we are," Dharmendra said.

"Wetold the boys not to take the plunge as we saw mothers’ (women) in the crowd," he added.

"We are pained by the government’s open support to anti-nationals, so we had to act. We do not repent our action," he said.

Meanwhile, the police have found that Lithesh was getting calls from another activist, Ajith, asking if he accomplished the mission successfully.